With World Travel Market fast approaching, Breaking Travel News here chats with Norman Gage, senior vice president, sales UK, Mystifly, to discover what the company has in store for the event, the fast pace of technological change in the aviation industry and the importance of face-to-face contact with customers.

Breaking Travel News: World Travel Market is just around the corner, with the leaders of the global hospitality industry set to gather in London. What will be the main themes addressed by Mystifly at the event this year?

Norman Gage: We at Mystifly have upped our game, our systems work quicker and we have a wider range of product plus a wider spread of air fares

BTN: How do you feel the air ticketing market in the UK has changed since we last spoke?

NG: When we first launched five years ago, most of the bookings that went through were low value.

These were still very important to our customers as they were able to put tickets in the hands of the travellers before they left our shores.

As our customers grew in confidence, we have seen that the greater numbers of bookings are high value.

Two other aspects have also come to the fore, one being a huge call centre that builds its own itineraries.

This has seen the benefit from buying through our Global Airfare Market Place.

The second was a TMC that was appointed to provide in bound travel to the UK for a major product launch, the vast majority of their tickets were bought through GAFMP as they were able to access the market fares at the passengers departure point.

BTN: How has Mystifly responded to these changes? What does the organisation provide to the sector that no other organisation can?

NG: I am not a great believer in USPs as it is easy for the competition to replicate, should they so choose.

Plus if we shout about the DNA that makes us outstanding, we give the competition the opportunity sooner rather than later to replicate our unique service

BTN: Is it important for Mystifly to attend these events and share its message with trade visitors?

NG: Very much so.

We have been at WTM for five years now, plus other events around the world.

Each year a number of people will say that they saw our stand last year, and as we are back again we must have a strong business proposition

BTN: Mystifly is also nominated for the title of World’s Leading Airline Consolidator at the upcoming World Travel Awards. What would it mean to win here?

NG: In the words of an immortal football manager: “Winning isn’t everything, but it sure beats loosing.”

More Information

Mystifly will be attending World Travel Market in London from November 7th-9th and can be found on stand TT435.